ROSWELL PARK COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER UTERINE CANCER Info Sheet

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW The uterus (or womb), part of a woman’s reproductive system, is a hollow organ where years old a baby grows during pregnancy. Endometrial cancer, which begins in the lining of the 62 uterus, is a type of uterine cancer. ARE YOU AT RISK?

Women with these risk factors may be more likely to develop uterine cancer:

• Abnormal overgrowth of the uterine lining. Also called endometrial hyperplasia, this Median age of diagnosis. condition may cause heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods and bleeding after menopause. Hyperplasia is not cancer, but can sometimes develop into cancer.

• Obesity

Endometrial cancer is • High blood pressure HIGHLY CURABLE. • Diabetes The majority of patients are • Reproductive and menstrual history, if a least one of the following apply: diagnosed with early stage • Never had children disease, which has a five-year • First menstrual period before age 12

survival rate of more than • Menopause after age 55

• History of taking estrogen alone (without progesterone) for menopausal hormone therapy

• History of taking tamoxifen, a drug prescribed to treat or prevent breast cancer

• History of radiation therapy to the pelvis 97% • Family history of uterine cancer, such as a mother, sister or daughter with the disease • Family or personal history of Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases risk for multiple cancer types, including uterine and colorectal cancer

Endometrial cancer is most SYMPTOMS TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR frequently diagnosed among • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge women age • Vaginal bleeding after menopause 55-64 • Pain or difficulty when emptying the bladder • Pain during sex • Pain in pelvic area

1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) | RoswellPark.org WHY ROSWELL PARK FOR UTERINE CANCER? REDUCE YOUR RISK • We set the standards. Our experts serve on boards of the National Comprehensive The following are considered protective Cancer Network (NCCN) that create the guidelines that specify the best way to factors that reduce risk for uterine cancer: prevent, detect and treat specific types of cancer. Roswell Park’s Peter Frederick, MD, FACOG, Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, serves on the NCCN Uterine Pregnancy and Cancer guidelines panel. breastfeeding • Nationally recognized. Roswell Park is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only one in the state outside of New York City. Taking oral contraceptives • A multidisciplinary care approach by our team of board-certified gynecologic and radiation oncologists with a focus on optimal survival and quality of life for patients with all types and stages of gynecologic cancer. Being physically • Treatment options unavailable elsewhere, such as photodynamic therapy, regional active chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials.

• Holistic and comprehensive supportive care to focus on you, not just your cancer. Services including music, art and pet therapy, acupuncture, massage, spiritual care, patient retreats, support groups, and more. Eating a balanced diet

African American women have higher mortality from endometrial cancer. Several factors may play a role — being diagnosed at a later stage, having other medical problems, disparities in treatment and genetic differences that are related to more aggressive tumors.

MEET OUR DOCTORS

1. Stacey Akers, MD, FACOG Gynecologic Oncology nd GET A 2. Peter Frederick, MD, FACOG 2 OPINION Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery, 1 2 Gynecologic Oncology

3. Shashikant Lele, MD, FACOG Clinical Chief, Gynecologic Oncology If you have a cancer diagnosis, you need a second opinion. We can arrange 4. Katherine Mager, MD for our gynecologic oncologists to Gynecologic Oncology review your scans and pathology and 5. David Mattson, Jr., MD schedule a consultation. 3 4 5 Director, GYN Radiation

Why it matters – in about 10% of cases 6. Adekunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG we review, the diagnosis is changed, Deputy Director impacting your treatment options, Chair, Gynecologic Oncology decisions and the way forward. Director, Center for Immunotherapy

7. Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD, FACOG 6 7 Gynecologic Oncology 45397 (10/19)